Lib Dems slam Public Health cuts in Surrey

New figures released by the Department of Health show the Conservative Government is planning a £2.2m cut to the public health budget across Surrey.

The public health budget pays to relieve pressure on local NHS hospitals and clinics by helping people to solve their own potential health problems before they become more serious. The budget includes work to help people to exercise more, give up smoking and tackle drug addiction.

Cllr Hazel Watson, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said:

"These planned cuts of £2.2m to Surrey's public health budget will mean that when local residents try to make positive changes for their health and seek out help it is less likely to be there for them. Cutting the budget in the middle of the financial year means delivering these cuts will be even more difficult.

"Liberal Democrats say these are the wrong cuts, made in the wrong way. The public health budget is an important support system for our NHS, helping people to tackle their own health problems before they become more serious and require hospital treatment.

"The truth is that the Conservatives' planned cuts are a false economy which will only end up costing the Government and the NHS more than is saved."